Environment
FG to Implement UN Framework On Environment Statistics -Official
The Federal Ministry of Environment is set to implement the UN framework for the development of environmental statistics in the country, an official of the ministry has said.
Deputy Director, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr Philip Bankole, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Bankole said that the ministry would soon set up some committees to implement the framework.
He said that the framework contained a comprehensive list of environmental statistics and indicators for tracking sustainable development in all sectors of the economy.
Bankole said Nigeria was a party to the development of the framework which was recently approved by the UN Statistical Commission.
“The environment needs to be monitored every now and then to know how sustainable it will be, how habitable it will be because when we destroy the environment, it will have impact on our own wellbeing.
“So, what the environment statistics tries to do is to monitor the state of the environment to know what is happening and what is causing the distortion in environment.
“Environment statistics cuts across several issues; whatever you are doing as human beings, you are either exploiting from the resources of the environment or depleting it or you are polluting it.
“Even from your vehicles, the emission to the air is causing pollution; your generator in the house is causing air pollution and so on, all those are things that are of interest in environmental statistics issues,’’ he said.
Bankole said the framework was developed by experts across the globe, adding that only three experts were drawn from Africa, including Nigeria.
According to him, the use of the framework in national statistics systems will enhance development in the sector, as both a multi-purpose and flexible tool that can be tailored to specific environmental policy concerns.
“Now, this framework that has just been developed by the UN with a group of experts is now given to countries to see how they can use the framework, use the indicators in it to gather statistics that will tell them the state of environment in their countries.
“Some of these environmental issues are cross cutting issues, what is happening in one country may affect others, when it comes to the issues of climate change, it is trans-boundary.
“Basically, the essence is to be sure that our environment can still sustain us, not only us, but be able to sustain future generations. So, we owe it a duty to protect the environment for future generations.
“That is how the issue of sustainable development comes in and in this framework, you have indicators and statistics to be generated,’’ he said.
The deputy director, however, said that the ministry would organise a two-day national conference between July 31 and August 1 to fashion out strategies for the application of the framework in Nigeria.
He said that the conference would be organised in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Bankole said the expected outcome of the meeting would be to identify the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that would be responsible for the generation of relevant statistics for the list of the indicators in the framework.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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